Alzheimer Disease: Müller N

Müller N. · Department of Communicative Disorders, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, LA 70504-3170, USA. · Clin Linguist Phon. · Pubmed #12945607 No free full text.

Abstract: Intelligibility is discussed in terms of the process of realizing a potential for mutual understanding, or intersubjectivity. The local management of mutual understanding, and its emergent properties within the context of an interaction are emphasized. Clinical applications of conceptualizing intelligibility as a potential rather than a property of speaker or interaction are discussed.

Rösler A, Müller N. · Klinik für Neurologie, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-Universität Frankfurt/Main. · Nervenarzt. · Pubmed #14551690 No free full text.

Abstract: Visual search is a complex and highly relevant cognitive task. Hypotheses about the processes involved have been derived from experimental psychology and modified by recent functional imaging methods revealing the underlying neuronal networks. To close the gap between theoretical implications and clinical practice, models of visual search are employed to explain visual search impairments in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Wilson BT, Müller N, Damico JS. · Radford University, Radford, VA 24142, USA. · Clin Linguist Phon. · Pubmed #17972195 No free full text.

Abstract: While laughter has been shown to play a significant role in any social interaction; its conversational usage by a person with dementia has rarely been investigated. This paper will investigate the functional aspects of laughter during conversation in an individual with dementia. Conversation analysis is used in order to investigate laughter as a social phenomenon and to be able to investigate laughter in an empirical and authentic manner. The conversational strategies employed through laughter will be detailed and implications will be discussed.

Müller N, Guendouzi JA. · University of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA. · Clin Linguist Phon. · Pubmed #16019783 No free full text.

Abstract: After a brief introduction to Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type (DAT), its behavioral diagnostic symptom complex and a summary of communicative implications, we present data from two conversations involving participants with and without DAT. We discuss the concept of "order" in conversation, and the central importance of interactional monitoring. Conversational success and problems in interactions with persons with DAT are seen as emergent from situationally embedded conversations in the presence of cognitive and linguistic impairments on the part of the person with DAT, and of contextually situated communicative impairment resulting therefrom.

Müller N, Guendouzi JA. · Department of Communicative Disorders, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, PO Box 43170, Lafayette, LA 70405-3170, USA. · Clin Linguist Phon. · Pubmed #12185982 No free full text.

Abstract: This paper illustrates the use of a 'discourse line' in transcribing spoken interaction between a person with Alzheimer's disease, and a visitor. Discourse is here interpreted as a metacategory, or an analytic level of interaction. We view transcribing as an integral part of 'doing discourse', and use two sub-layers of the discourse line, dedicated to speech acts and conversation analysis, respectively. The prosody and voice layer is used to show the analysis of a speaker's use of a specific voice quality in discourse terms.

Hampel H, Teipel SJ, Padberg F, Haslinger A, Riemenschneider M, Schwarz MJ, Kötter HU, Scheloske M, Buch K, Stübner S, Dukoff R, Lasser R, Müller N, Sunderland T, Rapoport SI, Möller HJ. · Department of Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry Branch, Dementia Research Section, Ludwig-Maximilian University Munich, Nussbaumstr. 7, 80336, Munich, Germany. · Brain Res. · Pubmed #10095017 No free full text.

Abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) still can only be definitively diagnosed with certainty by examination of brain tissue. There is a great need for a noninvasive, sensitive and specific in vivo test for AD. We combined cerebrospinal fluid analyses of tau protein (levels were significantly increased in AD patients [p=0.0001]), a putative marker of neuronal degeneration, with components of the soluble interleukin-6 receptor complex (sIL-6RC: IL-6, soluble IL-6 receptor and soluble gp130), putative markers of neuroregulatory and inflammatory processes in the brain. A stepwise multivariate discriminant analysis revealed that tau protein and soluble gp130 (levels were significantly reduced in AD subjects [p=0.007]), the affinity converting and signal-transducing receptor of neuropoietic cytokines, maximized separation between the investigated groups. The discriminant function predicted 23 of 25 clinically diagnosed AD patients (sensitivity 92%) with mild to moderate dementia correctly as having AD. Furthermore, 17 of 19 physically and cognitively healthy age-matched control subjects (specificity 90%) were accurately distinguished by this test. Later predicting with the jackknife procedure each case in turn through the remaining patient group, the discriminant function remained stable. Our data suggest that multivariate discriminant analysis of combined CSF tau protein and sIL-6RC components may add more certainty to the diagnosis of AD, however, the method will need to be extended to an independent group of patients, comparisons and control subjects to assess the true applicability.